The Meadows School of the Arts, formally established in 1969 at SMU in Dallas, has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States. Learn more about SMU Meadows

Meadows serves the public as a significant cultural center by presenting more than 400 events annually for the Dallas community and surrounding region. Read more about upcoming events and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, "This Week at Meadows".

The Meadows School of the Arts, formally established in 1969 at SMU in Dallas, has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States. Learn more about SMU Meadows

Meadows serves the public as a significant cultural center by presenting more than 400 events annually for the Dallas community and surrounding region. Read more about upcoming events and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, "This Week at Meadows".

A Garden of Opportunity over a Dallas Freeway

Division of Music to Help Open New Klyde Warren Park, Oct. 27

For Dallas commuters, the construction that has taken place on and above the Woodall Rogers Freeway over the past two years is extremely familiar. What is not so well known, however, is the fact that a public space will soon open on top of this busy highway where many of us drive to work: Klyde Warren Park. It sits in the middle of the Arts District in downtown Dallas, and will open this weekend to the sounds of ensembles from the Meadows Division of Music.

It comes as no surprise that when looking for music to program for this weekend's opening festivities a year ago, the park's organizers turned to SMU. "The park reached out to us for our thoughts about how we could not only be involved in the grand opening, but in sustained programming as the park lives on," says Dr. Samuel Holland, director of the Division of Music at Meadows. "Now it's coming to fruition with the grand opening."

Ensembles involved in the grand opening include a chamber group headed by Artist-in-Residence and Director of Chamber Music Matt Albert, and a performance by the Meadows World Music Ensemble, led by Jamal Mohamed. The 45-minute set will be led by emcee Melissa Murray, lecturer of music theory.

"I think it's a beautiful example of city and school working together to enrich the culture and life of the community," says Holland. "Dallas's effort in planning, supporting, and funding this park is one more hallmark of a great city. As the music school in the city, our opportunity to contribute to that effort is exciting, and the best is yet to come."

Grand opening festivities will take place on Saturday and Sunday of this weekend. Performances by the Division of Music will be Saturday at 2:15 p.m. For more information, visit the Klyde Warren Park website.